What It Was Like for a Rape Survivor to Get an Abortion in Alabama | NowThis
584'We're going to have them anyway...or we're going to end our lives.' — Sam Blakely had an abortion after she was raped, but it would have been illegal under Alabama's new law.
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Sam Blakely had an abortion after she was raped by a co-worker who went on to stalk her. Under a new law in her home state of Alabama, terminating her pregnancy would have been illegal.
“The morning I woke up bleeding, and confused, and angry, I called my best friend,” she said. “I honestly—couldn’t process what had happened. I stayed in my same clothes for three days in my house just trying to piece together what happened.”
Blakely reported her rapist for stalking after the attack but ultimately chose not to press rape charges. She said the new law would entail even more disbelief and questioning when it comes to sexual assault, which would re-traumatize victims all over again.
When she found out she was pregnant, she felt unimaginable anguish and terror, but knew that the decision was clear. She said to this day she does not regret her decision to end the pregnancy.
Blakey went to Planned Parenthood and was thankful for the support that staff and escorts gave her. She also said under Alabama’s recently passed restrictions, her options at the time would have been severely limited.
RAINN estimates only 23% of survivors report their rape to police. Of those, less than five perpetrators are incarcerated.
#Abortion #Rape #Alabama #ReproductiveFreedom
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